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labradore · 02-05-2019, 18:46

Ok. I was browsing craigslist and came across a just-posted listing for a free boat. The owner has too many project boats and is giving this one away having reconditioned the hull. It needs a mast and a motor ... and probably a bunch of other stuff.

I'm going to go see it tomorrow morning. Dock fees are a few hundred a month. It's in the water. Pics of hull look good but there's not much to see.

I'm going to look for some things that I know to look for like deck rot. But, honestly, I'm a novice sailor. Have only sailed a few times and not on a boat that big.

What hidden costs should I think about if I'm going to live on this thing and fix it?

Is this actually a $200k "free" boat?

What would it cost me to junk it if everything goes south?

Cheers!

letsgetsailing3 · 02-05-2019, 18:49

A free 50' yacht is never going to be cheap.

Particularly one without a motor or mast.

When someone said "The best things in life are free", they weren't talking about boats.

CSY Man · 02-05-2019, 18:53

Location, location..Where are you?

I have gotten a few free boats in the past and turned around and sold them for e few shekels.
The last one was a 50’ Dutch built fiberglass sloop with mast, rigging and an engine.
Way too much money and time to make it seaworthy, sold it for $2,400 to an optimist on eBay.

My advice is: Don’t do it..

senormechanico · 02-05-2019, 20:39

Hard to say without pictures, but if it's missing a bunch of stuff, it's probably all the expensive stuff. The hull without much else is worse than free. It's a liability.

**Jim Cate** · 02-05-2019, 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by senormechanico

Hard to say without pictures, but if it's missing a bunch of stuff, it's probably all the expensive stuff. The hull without much else is worse than free. It's a liability.

which, perhaps, is why this generous benefactor is giving it away!

A disaster waiting for you to step up to the plate.

Jim

**GordMay** · 03-05-2019, 01:53

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, labradore.

"Free" boats, almost never are.

Sailmonkey · 03-05-2019, 03:13

Your 200k estimate is low. A 50’ free hull will cost many times more than that to outfit and rig to any reasonable standard

SV Bacchus · 03-05-2019, 04:46

I've always heard one of the most expensive boats you will ever own is a free boat!

LittleWing77 · 03-05-2019, 05:24

Run away! Run away!

Best wishes,
LittleWing

(p.s. Consider, also, if he has multiple project boats - he's dumping the one in the most trouble... and/or the one that will cost the most to carve up and dispose of)

Bill O · 03-05-2019, 05:34

Since you are a self proclaimed "novice", then would say a 50' project would be too much of an undertaking at this point. Doesn't hurt to go look, but maybe start on a smaller project first to learn how to work on the various systems found in a large boat.
Part of looking at free/almost free boats is having enough experience to access the situation and know when to walk away. Having reworked a few of these in my day, will say you can find a few diamonds in the rough, but many are junk and have filled w/water, sinking them on land. While it can be done, best part of valor for many boats is to walk away.
And yes, you want the "expensive stuff" to come w/ the boat, like the motor, mast, sails (in good shape), otherwise not worth it in most cases.

Bill O.

Chuck34 · 03-05-2019, 05:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill O

Since you are a self proclaimed "novice", then would say a 50' project would be too much of an undertaking at this point. Doesn't hurt to go look, but maybe start on a smaller project first to learn how to work on the various systems found in a large boat.
Part of looking at free/almost free boats is having enough experience to access the situation and know when to walk away. Having reworked a few of these in my day, will say you can find a few diamonds in the rough, but many are junk and have filled w/water, sinking them on land. While it can be done, best part of valor for many boats is to walk away.
And yes, you want the "expensive stuff" to come w/ the boat, like the motor, mast, sails (in good shape), otherwise not worth it in most cases.

Bill O.

BIll hit the nail on the head. Even if this boat is the proverbial diamond in he rough, 50' is way TOO BIG for a novice. Start with a 20' day sailor.

sguerrero1971 · 03-05-2019, 05:54

Here is a Youtuber that a couple of years ago thought they wanted a 52 ft Irwin, they then ended up with a 34-ish' boat for $1 and did a total refit on it.

The video link below is their opinion of the 52' boat after having done the work on the smaller boat. This might help you get an idea of what you are in for.

https://youtu.be/pgQXieIbZyY

Good luck.

JK3Yachts · 06-05-2019, 17:28

Your gut feeling is correct. Run away from this trap.

There is no such thing as a free boat. This hull sounds like its cheaper to junk it than salvage and is likely prohibitively expensive to haul/junk the hull. Which is why the current owner is keen to "generously" give away this liability.

This hull needs major, rather-technical, installations - nothing impossible, but it will be expensive. It may make more sense for you to find a boat that is already in reasonable sailing condition rather than take on a massive project that most experienced yachtsman/woman would run away from.

Your time (and dollars) will be much better spent on a smaller, sail-able, fixer-upper - and you will be happier - getting on the water sooner than later, learning the ins and outs of operating your new vessel, and having a good time on your new boat.

Whatever you decide, do hire a marine surveyor - have to know what you are getting into.

Fair winds!